A device for connecting communications networks has a safety switch with which two communications networks present in the motor vehicle may be connected by a user. In this connection, in particular, a multimedia network having an air interface, preferably implemented by a mobile phone, is connected to a safety network to which vehicle components are connected that are critical to safety. This connection becomes necessary when a remote diagnosis of the vehicle components or a software update is to be undertaken.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A device for connecting at least two communications networks in a motor vehicle, comprising: a safety switch for connecting the at least two communications networks, wherein there is a permanent one-way communication between the at least two communications networks, and the safety switch is configured to close so as to extend the one-way communication to a duplex communication.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two communications networks include a first communications network having an air interface, the air interface being activated by closing the safety switch.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the air interface is adapted to receive data when the safety switch is open.
4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the air interface is adapted to receive data only when the safety switch is closed.
5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein the data is received from an external server via the air interface.
6. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the air interface automatically contacts an opposite station when the safety switch is closed, the opposite station taking up connection with a second of the at least two communications networks in the motor vehicle.
7. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the air interface establishes a connection for at least one of a remote diagnosis and a software update.
8. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the air interface includes a mobile telephone.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the safety switch is adapted to be closed only by a user.
10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein safety data from a data network is at least one of extracted and imported.
11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein software is updated for components connected to the data network.
12. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two communications networks include a first communications network having a multimedia network.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 20, 2002
July 12, 2005
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